Reward Offered in Dog Skinning Case

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­skinning three dogs and throwing their carcasses in a garbage dumpster behind a store in Davis, Oklahoma.

The Case: On the morning of August 25, 2015, police were called to the scene where the remains of three adult dogs were discovered by an employee in a garbage dumpster behind Sharps Department Store at 105 W. Main St. in Davis. The dogs’ bodies had been completely skinned.

Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

Animal control officer Clifton Kirby of the Davis Police Department said: “This is the worst case of animal cruelty I have ever seen.”

G. Dale Fullerton, chief investigator for the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Law Enforcement Division said: “It takes an especially depraved person to skin three dogs and then abandon their carcasses in a dumpster.”

Cynthia Armstrong, The HSUS’ Oklahoma senior state director said: “We are grateful to local law enforcement for understanding the serious nature of this crime. Hopefully this reward will help bring forward anyone with information about this case.”

The Investigators: The Davis Police Department assisted by the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Law Enforcement Division is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Officer Kirby with the Davis Police Department 580-369-0987.

Resources: The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.